War at a glance
- Population: about 559 residents, ranking 142nd of 230 Census places in West Virginia (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 622 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a loss of about 10.1% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among West Virginia places: the 142nd-largest of 230 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: about 38% of West Virginia's Census places are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 37.3100, longitude -81.6763 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Gary, WV (9 mi); Welch, WV (9 mi); Tazewell, VA (16 mi); Cedar Bluff, VA (16 mi); Richlands, VA (17 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Smaller places close by: Bradshaw, WV (7 mi); Kimball, WV (12 mi); Davy, WV (12 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in War
With an installment loan the payment is fixed for the life of the loan, so the schedule is predictable from the first month to the last.
The advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
The offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
West Virginia lending rules that apply in War
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving War: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated consumer lender license required from the Commissioner (W. Va. Code § 46A-4-101) Source says: Unless a person has first obtained a license from the commissioner authorizing the person to make regulated consumer loans | West Virginia Legislature (West Virginia Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions (WV DFI) Source says: The West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions is charged with the regulation and supervision of financial institutions chartered by the State of West Virginia. | West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions (WV DFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 31% per year on unsecured loans of $3,500 or less; 27% on $3,500–$15,000; 18% above $15,000 (W. Va. Code § 46A-4-107) Source says: the loan finance charge, calculated according to the actuarial method, may not exceed 31 percent per year | West Virginia Legislature (West Virginia Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Traditional payday lending is generally prohibited; check cashers are regulated under W. Va. Code ch. 32A Source says: Traditional "Payday Lenders" are generally prohibited within this state. | West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions (WV DFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in War
Before you commit to a personal loan in War, work through these steps:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in West Virginia using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.